Ella Enchanted

Char is the prince of Kyrria, the kingdom where Ella lives with her family. Char is kind and humble despite his life of privilege. Sir Stephan—one of Char’s knights— describes Char spending “the better part of an hour on his hands and knees, rescuing vegetables” which had fallen from a fruit-seller's overturned cart (113).

Char is often frustrated by everyone being on their “best behavior” due to his illustrious title. He craves normalcy and is drawn to Ella’s easy playfulness and wit. As opposed to courtiers who grovel, “[Ella’s] contrariness kept Char laughing” (232). He falls in love with Ella. Eventually they marry when Ella is able to break the curse. They live a happy life characterized by “laughter and love” (232).

Mandy is Ella’s fairy godmother. Mandy lives with Ella in Ella’s familial manor where she works as a cook. She operates secretly as a fairy, using small magic to make the family safer and more comfortable. Later, Mandy moves with Ella into Dame Olga’s home. At the end of the novel, Mandy comes to live with Char and Ella in their palace, where she is godmother to their children as well as cook—and secret fairy godmother. Fairies are immortal; Mandy was also Eleanor’s fairy godmother and Ella’s grandmother’s fairy godmother. Unlike the irresponsible Lucinda, Mandy is highly principled with her use of magic, insisting that she will only use “small magic.” “Big magic,” according to Mandy, can have unforeseen and dangerous consequences: as illustrated by Ella’s curse.

Mandy is likable and kind. Even though she can be brusque and bossy, Ella concedes that Mandy’s orders are “kind orders or for-your-own-good orders,” such as to “bundle up” on a cold day (5). Mandy gives Ella the gift of the enchanted fairy tale book, which helps to cheer Ella and provides important information to keep her safe and informed.